OBSERVATIONS ON CRIME REPORTING IN A DEVELOPING NATION*

Abstract

The literature from developed countries hypothesizes that crime‐reporting practices vary by levels of incident‐specific, victim‐specific, and environment‐specific correlates. To date these correlates have not been used to investigate crime‐reporting behavior in developing countries, nor have they been explored simultaneously. This research attempts to fill this void by analyzing data from a household victimization survey conducted in Belize, Central America. A crime‐reporting model based on research findings from developed nations, especially the United States, is tested. Bivariate findings are presented and a multivariate logistic model is estimated, Contrary to prediction, the findings from the Belize sample are generally similar to those reported in developed nations. As in developed nations, incident‐specific correlates play a significant role, individual‐specific correlates pray a minor role, and environment‐specific correlates play no role in inducing citizens to report a crime to the police. The findings indicate that factors that affect reporting in Belize seem not to be conditioned by the particularistic social structure of policing in that nation.

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